Here's the bottom line: I hire good writers and when they are columnists
(like Anna) I generally let them write what they think. I might not agree with every idea they have, but since I hire them for their opinions, I usually defer to them.
CD:
I'm relieved that the Skyway News editor will allow a columnist to publish an announcement for an art exhibit in downtown Minneapolis regardless of his personal assessment of the quality of the artwork. Arts advocates agree?
DB:
For the record, on a personal level, I find the OBEY stuff thought-provoking but by now, not very. On a certain level, there's irony of people in several cities slapping the same labels everywhere. Sorta defeats the idea of unique, local, independent thought.
CD:
Shepard Fairey's 'OBEY' expirement never intended to reflect "unique, local, independent thought". Interesting that you placed those ideals onto the icon and its purpose.
Here's a point of philosphical contention. I do not accept the notion of "clean" public space being of much value while its simultaneously saturated with icons and commercial messages from the imaginary sexy Skyy Vodka to Wheaties banners flying on every light pole on Kellog Blvd. Especially when there's no tolerance for dissent in the public arena, counter/anti-propeganda may be exploited by vandals now and for generations to come.
From the OBEY-GIANT Manifesto, http://www.obeygiant.com/articles.html
The FIRST AIM OF PHENOMENOLOGY is to reawaken a sense of wonder about one's environment. The Giant sticker attempts to stimulate curiosity and bring people to question both the sticker and their relationship with their surroundings. Because people are not used to seeing advertisements or propaganda for which the product or motive is not obvious, frequent and novel encounters with the sticker provoke thought and possible frustration, nevertheless revitalizing the viewer's perception and attention to detail. The sticker has no meaning but exists only to cause people to react, to contemplate and search for meaning in the sticker. Because Giant has a Posse has no actual meaning, the various reactions and interpretations of those who view it reflect their personality and the nature of their sensibilities.
NE conor waitepark ward one
TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.)
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